B is for Budget

C is for Color

Like the paint and fabric colors you choose for your home, the hues in your yard and garden convey your personality and sense of style. A popular choice in the South is blue, which cools the hottest summer days.

J is for Juleps

No phrase on earth is more welcoming than "What can I get you to drink?" Whether your guests prefer classic cocktails or less-potent punch, consider an outdoor wetbar or rolling cart to make entertaining effortless.

K is for Kitchens

Homeowners who install an outdoor kitchen for entertaining soon find it's an everyday way to keep the house cool while enjoying their backyard retreat. Even small spaces can host the applicances and prep areas you need.

M is for Makeover

Feeling overwhelmed by options A-L? Take a breather. If your local nursery operates like Nectar & Company in Thomaston, Georgia, you can rent a temporary makeover for your home and garden. Nectar uses pretty potted plants and flowers to accomplish the task.

P is for Patio

One of the most gracious aspects of Southern life is the ability to sit out on the patio. Some of our favorite patios had exceptionally humble beginnings–one was a dilapidated garage while another was merely cramped and dark. The patio pictured was built in a formerly awkward side yard.

Q is for Q & A

Whether you're landscaping your first backyard or your fifth, experts abound who've thought about entertaining outdoors from every angle. Case in point, the architects of our 2009 Southern Home Award for Best Outdoor Space.

R is for Rooftop

Speaking of the Vogts, the focus of their winning outdoor space wasn't a backyard at all, but an enchanting rooftop overlooking the ocean. If you're running out of terra firma, consider moving the party skyward.

S is for Seating

Inevitably, your guests will cease mingling en masse and look for spots to relax and visit. Create conversational areas by grouping seating and accent tables for groups of 2-5 people, like you'll see throughout our idea house in Asheville, North Carolina. For maximum charm, consider a porch swing.

T is for Table

When choosing indoor dining furniture, we often base our choices on the size of the room. In the expanse of outdoors, consider how many guests you will generally entertain. You can then plan the dining area to accommodate your guests, rather than the other way around.

U is for Umbrella

Umbrellas or tents provide daytime guests a respite from the sun's rays; vine-covered pergolas or floral awnings are an exquisite touch. Equally important is a plan B for unpredictable spring and summer weather. Permanent structures like loggias, gazebos, and covered patios can solve both problems.

V is for Vegetable Garden

Pretty kitchen gardens can be just as inviting as an English rose garden with a little thought and planning. The natural bonus: you can serve guests meals made with fresh ingredients that are as local as they come.

W is for Walkways

Unless you'd like your stiletto-clad friends to aerate the lawn, add walkways to provide guests a foothold and manage party traffic. Tightly woven pavers, like the ones pictured here from our idea house in Pine Mountain, Georgia, are formal wear-friendly. Scatter stepping stones or put down gravel or oyster shells for a more natural look that's better traversed in comfy shoes.

X is for X-factor

For a backyard that will generate buzz long after the party's ended, add a final touch that's unique to your home. Ideas include climbing vines in an eye-catching pattern, a one-of-a-kind water feature, or a pretty painted floor. Guests may never put their finger on quite what it is that sets your yard apart.

Y is for Yard Calendar

Taking your yard from bleak to blooming requires a little patience. Though you may have some control over constructed features, plants grow on their own schedule. Keeping a yard calendar with snapshots will quell antsy feelings while you wait. Blog the transformation to whet guests' appetite for your first party.

Z is for Zzzzz

Exhausted yet? Me, too; let's take a nap. A sleeping porch is the perfect spot for afternoon snoozing or housing sleepovers. Take breaks from your backyard transformation in a simple hammock and wake up refreshed and ready for more. It's o.k.―you've earned it.